Charity defends LGBTQ+ asylum seekers after BBC report into alleged ‘fabricated’ claims

A leading LGBTQ+ asylum charity has said the actions of a “small number of bad-faith actors” should not be used to misrepresent people fleeing persecution, following a BBC investigation into alleged attempts to fabricate asylum claims.

Rainbow Migration said any advice aimed at misusing the asylum system should be condemned, but warned against portraying isolated cases as indicative of the broader reality facing LGBTQ+ people seeking protection in the UK.

The charity highlighted the risks faced by sexual and gender minorities worldwide, noting that almost 70 countries criminalise same-sex relations, in some cases with the death penalty. UK government guidance itself recognises that consensual same-sex sexual activity between men remains criminalised in Pakistan, with penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment.

Rainbow Migration said it works daily with LGBTQ+ people who have fled life‑threatening situations and are attempting to rebuild their lives in safety. For many, the charity said, claiming asylum is the only viable way to escape persecution.

The organisation pointed to the experience of a gay man from Pakistan who arrived in the UK on a student visa and later sought asylum after his family and community discovered his sexuality. He reportedly received threats, had his financial support withdrawn and was warned not to return home.

Another individual from Pakistan, who said they had experienced repeated abuse and violence, described the decision to flee as both dangerous and isolating. They said leaving behind family, home and financial security was not taken lightly, but became unavoidable when their life was at risk.

Rainbow Migration also raised concerns about the asylum system itself, describing it as hostile and complex, particularly for LGBTQ+ applicants who are often required to prove their sexual orientation or gender identity to officials. The charity said many people have spent years concealing who they are to avoid harm, making such assessments particularly distressing.

Cuts to legal aid were also criticised, with the organisation arguing that reduced access to specialist advice exacerbates the difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ claimants navigating the system.

According to the most recent government data referenced by the charity, only around two per cent of asylum claims cite sexual orientation as a reason for seeking protection. To qualify for refugee status, applicants must demonstrate a well‑founded fear of persecution.

Rainbow Migration said the focus on alleged misuse risked obscuring the reality that most LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are fleeing genuine danger, and warned against narratives that could increase stigma or undermine trust in the protection system.